Ligamentum Plantare Longum

Original Editor - Anna Fuhrmann

Top Contributors - Anna Fuhrmann, Kim Jackson and Aminat Abolade

Description[edit | edit source]

Ligaments of the foot - Long plantar ligament [1]

The long plantar ligament is the longest and strongest ligament of the foot. Running along the base of the foot from the heel bone (calcaneus) to the base of the metatarsal bones, it assists in forming the longitudinal arch of the foot and keeping the calcaneocuboid joint and the midtarsal (Chopard) joint stable. [2] [3] Deeper to the long plantar ligament lies the short plantar ligament. Follow this link to view a 3D model of the ligament.

Attachments[edit | edit source]

Originating from the bottom surface of the calcaneus, adjacent to the Processus medialis tuberis calcanei, the long plantar ligament forms a flat, fibrous ligament that attaches at the base of the second to fifth metatarsal bones, and the posterior cuboid bone. [3]

Function[edit | edit source]

The long plantar ligament closes the Sulcus tendinis musculi fibularis (peronei) longi, which is a meatus running along the base side of the cuboid bone and the three cuneiform bones. This meatus guides the tendon of the long peroneal muscle, which inserts at the base of the first metatarsal and is secured in this sulcus by the long plantar ligament. [3] Alongside the plantar calcaneonaviculare ligament and the plantar aponeurosis, the long plantar ligament passively supports the longitudinal arch of the foot. [3]

Additionally, the long plantar ligament serves as origin to some of the small foot muscles, and fortifies the capsula of the talotarsal joint.

Clinical relevance[edit | edit source]

Injuries to the long plantar ligament, especially if occurring in combination with injuries to other plantar ligament structures, can result in a destabilisation of the longitudinal arch of the foot.[4]

Pain on the sole of the foot can indicate a tear or overload of the plantar ligaments or plantar fasciitis. These conditions are often caused by long periods of standing, overstressing of the foot due to overweight, foot malpositioning, or tense / short muscles of the calf.[5]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Gray H. Anatomy of the human body, by Henry Gray, thoroughly rev. and re-edited by Warren H. Lewis. Philadelphia: Lea & Febiger, 1918.
  2. Feger J. Long plantar ligament. Available from: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/long-plantar-ligament (accessed 15 October 2020).
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Putz R, Pabst R. Atlas der Anatomie des Menschen Limitierte Jubiläumsausgabe: der komplette Atlas in einem Band. 21. Aufl. München: Urban & Fischer, 2004.
  4. Yang Y, Yu G, Niu W, Zhou J, Chen Y, Yuan F, Ding Z. Effect of the Plantar Ligaments Injury on the Longitudinal Arch Height of the Human Foot. In: Li K, Li X, Irwin GW, He G editors. Life System Modeling and Simulation. Berlin,Heidelberg: Springer, 2007. p111-9.
  5. Pain on the plantar surface of the foot. Gutteck N, Schilde S, Delank K-S. Dtsch Artzebl Int, 2019: 116: 83-8. Available at:https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/205148/Plantarer-Fussschmerz (Accessed 02 November 2020).